Lakeland Woman Sentenced to Prison in Theft from Lions Club

A Lakeland woman has been sentenced to five years in prison followed by 25 years of probation for stealing more than $50,000 from the Imperial Lakeland Lions Club.

By JASON GEARYTHE LEDGER

BARTOW | A Lakeland woman has been sentenced to five years in prison followed by 25 years of probation for stealing more than $50,000 from the Imperial Lakeland Lions Club.Caroline Bonds, 49, who served as the club's treasurer, was arrested in Decemmber.During a Friday hearing, she accepted a plea deal with prosecutors. She pleaded guilty to grand theft and three counts of money laundering.An arrest affidavit states the club received an inheritance worth more than $50,000 in 2006.Over the years, Bonds transferred money to her personal bank account as well as made cash withdrawals, the affidavit states.Bonds' theft was devas­tating to the nonprofit organization, and the club disbanded.Jeff Mock, who was a club member, asked Bonds why she took the money."I can't answer that question," Bonds replied."I can't make her answer it," Circuit Judge Michael Raiden told Mock. "But I certainly understand why you would want to ask her that."The judge said he rarely rejects plea deals struck between defendants and prosecutors. He agreed to accept Bonds' plea deal and sentence her according to its terms."There is a final accounting Miss Bonds may have to make at some point," Raiden said. "I don't inject religion into these hearings, either. But a lot of people believe that … you took a service club of long standing and put them out of existence. You got some accounting to do, ma'am."The judge ordered Bonds to "make every honest effort" during her probation to pay $50,378 in restitution, which will be given to the Dixieland Lions Club.If Bonds violates terms of her probation, she could face up to 25 years in prison.Other conditions of her probation include that she can't hold any job or position that involves handling money. She cannot spend money on luxury items. She can have access to only one bank account and one credit card.

[ Jason Geary can be reached at jason.geary@theledger.com or 863-802-7536. ]